The ECB have advertised for a new assistant coach for the senior England men's team.

While the role is, in effect, currently occupied by Paul Collingwood, he is employed on a consultancy basis and his contract expires after the final Test of the Ashes. He will be obliged to apply for the role if he wishes to continue.

Ashley Giles, the director of England men's cricket, has previously outlined his vision for an England coaching set-up featuring a head coach and three assistants of equal seniority to share the burden. Each of those three assistants may, from time to time, take charge of the side in order to provide the head coach with time to watch other cricket, take a break or attend to other matters.

While Collingwood would be a strong candidate if he chooses, as expected, to apply, he should not be considered a certainty for the role. There are certain to be many applicants and the ECB insist the process will be open and rigorous. The successful candidate will be a full-time employee of the ECB.

The other two assistant positions have, in effect, already been filled. Graham Thorpe, the ECB's lead batting coach, is one, while Chris Silverwood, the team's bowling coach, is the other. Both men have indicated their desire to apply for the head coach role when it becomes available in a few weeks.